Abstract

There are a growing number of people living with disabilities (PLWD) throughout the life course and across the disability spectrum. While much attention has been paid to environmental barriers to social participation for PLWD, apparel-related barriers have been largely overlooked. We conducted an online survey of 110 PLWD to identify challenges to finding appropriate clothing and related concerns regarding social participation for members of different adult age categories. Survey results included (1) difficulties finding or purchasing appropriate clothing and some apparel-related barriers to participation were more frequently reported by respondents in older age groups and (2) the increase in complications were not simply directly associated with aging.

Highlights

  • IntroductionNeither disability nor aging are solely biological or biomedical characteristics or processes, as both are strongly influenced by environmental and sociocultural factors

  • The purpose of this study is to document the relationships among age, social participation and apparel for persons living with disabilities (PLWD)

  • We present survey results demonstrating that the interaction of these variables can be both a straightforward linear process of disability-related apparel concerns changing with older age, as well as a more complex issue in which personal and social desires and needs can factor into apparel and disability issues at any age

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Summary

Introduction

Neither disability nor aging are solely biological or biomedical characteristics or processes, as both are strongly influenced by environmental and sociocultural factors One such factor is clothing or apparel, which can affect, for example, expression or understanding of personal identity, mobility, social engagement, and treatment of or stigma against individuals in professional and personal arenas. Anthropological works reveal several points of intersection between aging, disability and apparel, including the dual role of social and physical or biological factors; the importance of identity and independence, in light of the transient nature of health and ability across the life span; and issues of stigma and social participation. In their research on dress among individuals with dementia, Buse and Twigg (2015) note that while some clothing preferences and personal styles persisted into older age, it is not uncommon for styles to change over time, which may cause conflict between the person and their caretaker, especially if the clothing choices are seen as inappropriate or indicative of the person’s health condition

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